In a significant escalation, Ukraine's military has conducted drone strikes targeting several oil refineries and military installations across Russia. The strikes, which occurred early Friday, were aimed at disrupting key infrastructure and military capabilities.

According to Ukraine's General Staff, the drone attacks specifically targeted four oil refineries located in Russia's Krasnodar Krai and Astrakhan Oblast. Additionally, Ukrainian drones struck sites where Russian Shahed-type drones are stored, including facilities in Krasnodar.

The military action also extended to strategic military targets, including radar stations and electronic intelligence centers in the Bryansk region and the temporarily occupied Crimea. These locations are crucial for Russia's defense and intelligence operations in the region.

Russia has responded by claiming to have intercepted and downed over 100 Ukrainian drones during a retaliatory operation. The downing allegedly took place in Crimea, Krasnodar Krai, and Volgograd Oblast during the nighttime counter-attack.

The Ukrainian military, in a statement via the Telegram messaging app, emphasized the strategic nature of the strikes, describing them as targeting the Afipsky, Ilsky, Krasnodar, and Astrakhan oil refineries. The statement also confirmed the targeting of radar stations and electronic intelligence centers critical to Russian military operations.

The escalation marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with drones playing an increasingly central role in military strategies on both sides.

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